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ATLANTA (AP) — Already a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-szczur-jersey , Brandon Phillips learned this summer as a 37-year-old minor leaguer to relish playing baseball “until I wake up.”Added Phillips: “I’m still dreaming.”Phillips’ two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning off A.J. Minter highlighted his long-awaited season debut on Wednesday and capped the biggest comeback by the Boston Red Sox this year for a 9-8 win over the Atlanta Braves.“Honestly that was the most fun I’ve had all season, just watching the last few innings,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.Phillips took a big swing and then rocked back as he watched the ball head toward the left field seats.“My favorite part was the lean-back that he had,” teammate Brock Holt said.Said Minter: “I missed by an inch with the pitch and he made me pay.”After the game Phillips stood at his locker, attempting to untangle chains left knotted when Red Sox players dumped a cooler filled with a sports drink over his head. He kept grinning even when he gave up on solving the knot.“For us to come back like we did, that was amazing,” Phillips said.The Red Sox overcame a late six-run deficit and seesawed past Atlanta to sweep the three-game series between division leaders.Boston, with the best record in the majors, scored six times in the eighth to make it 7-all. After Freddie Freeman hit a solo homer with two outs in the Braves eighth, the Red Sox bounced back for their 97th win this year.Phillips sat out the first half of this year, signed a minor league contract with Boston in late June and was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday. He didn’t play that night, but started at second base in the final game of the interleague set.“When I was in the minor leagues with the guys, they really showed me why I still play this game,” he said. “… Just keep on having fun. You never know what might happen. Your career could be over.”After becoming the first player in Red Sox history to wear No. 0 Craig Stammen Jersey , in one swing the guy with the zero became a gameday hero. Andrew Benintendi singled with one out off Minter (4-3) and Steve Pearce struck out, bringing up Phillips, who homered on the first pitch.Braves left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who hit another leadoff homer in the first, didn’t move as Phillips’ shot sailed over his head. Phillips scored three runs, drew two walks and made the most of his first hit with Boston.Braves stadium organist Matthew Kaminski played “Welcome Back” before Phillips’ first at-bat in the second inning. Phillips, a high school star in the Atlanta area who played most of last season with the Braves, tipped his helmet and then walked.“To be in Atlanta in front of my family and friends, that was pretty awesome,” he said.In a game packed with momentum shifts, Freeman hit his tiebreaking homer off Brandon Workman (4-0). Freeman was given his first break from the starting lineup this season before coming off the bench in a defensive switch.Atlanta led 7-1 before Boston scored six times in the eighth to tie the game. Atlanta reliever Dan Winkler gave up four hits and four runs without retiring a batter. Christian Vazquez got two hits in the inning, Blake Swihart hit a two-run double and pinch-hitter Ian Kinsler tied the game with a two-run single. The Red Sox sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning, using five pinch-hitters and batting about 40 minutes against four relievers.Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 38th save.Ozzie Albies hit a two-run triple in Atlanta’s five-run fifth inning that made it 7-1.With the sweep, Boston has won 25 of its last 29 games against National League teams. Boston began the day leading the second-place Yankees by 8 ½ games in the AL East. NL East-leading Atlanta was three games ahead of Philadelphia.The Braves scored five runs in the fifth off reliever Drew Pomeranz, who recorded only one out.TRAINER’S ROOMBraves SS Dansby Swanson didn’t start and struck out as a pinch-hitter after he was hit on his helmet by an 85-mph slider from Rick Porcello in the second inning on Tuesday night. Swanson had ringing in his ears but passed the concussion tests.LEADOFF MAGICAcuna homered off Hector Velazquez’s second pitch http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-trevor-hoffman-jersey , giving the rookie a franchise single-season record eight leadoff homers. Acuna was tied with Marquis Grissom, who hit seven leadoff homers in 1996. Overall, Acuna has 24 homers, including 17 since the All-Star break.NOT FOLTY’S FAULTThe collapse by the Braves’ bullpen wasted a strong start by right-hander Mike Foltynewicz, who gave up only two hits and one run in six innings. He provided stability, with two walks and five strikeouts, one day after Braves pitchers combined for nine walks in a 5-1 loss.UP NEXTRed Sox: LHP David Price, who suffered a bruised left wrist when hit by a line drive in his last start against Miami on Aug. 29, will start when Boston opens a home series against Houston on Friday in another matchup of first-place teams. The Red Sox are off on Thursday.Braves: RHP Anibal Sanchez (6-5, 2.98) will face RHP Zack Greinke when the Braves open a four-game series at Arizona on Thursday night. PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks will play the final five weeks of the season against what the numbers suggest will be their most treacherous array of opponents yet. They shrug at the thought — open their arms, actually. The Diamondbacks will play 27 of their final 35 games — eight series — against teams that not only are above .500 and but also appear likely to stay that way.Article continues below ...On Friday though, the Diamondbacks got off on the wrong foot in a 6-3 loss to AL West contender Seattle. The Diamondbacks remained one game ahead in the NL West when Colorado lost at home to surging St. Louis.Arizona is ready to take on all comers, manager Torey Lovullo suggested.“To be conditioned to play against the best teams, those are conversations we have had since Day 1 here,” said Lovullo Evan Longoria Jersey , in his second season after winning the NL Manager of the Year award when the D-backs were an NL wild-card team in 2017.“We have to be at our best against the best, and they (players) want this. This is the greatest time of the year, and these players in this clubhouse know that. They walked through a very challenging year last year and came out on the right side of it, but we have more work we have to do. We know what we want to get to, and it’s right in front of us.”Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.91 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Seattle left-hander Wade LeBlanc (7-3, 4.04) in the second game of the series Saturday.The Mariners‘ final five weeks do not appear quite as challenging. They play seven games against Oakland and three against Houston and the Yankees, but they also have seven games with Texas, three with Baltimore and two with San Diego.Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger, traded with Jean Segura from the Diamondbacks for Taijuan Walker and Ketel Marte before the 2017 season, had three hits Friday, including his 21st homer.“You always want to do well against every team, especially a team that traded you,” Haniger said.Haniger, who played sparingly with Arizona in 2016 Andrew McCutchen Jersey , has five homers in 20 career games at Chase Field.A day after making his first major league start at third base, Robinson Cano made his third career start at first, all this season. He could not scoop two one-hop throws when the D-backs scored two unearned runs in the sixth inning, but the Mariners’ bullpen locked it down from there as Edwin Diaz recorded his franchise-record 49th save of the season. Ray was pushed back to start Saturday when Zack Godley was moved ahead to pitch Friday. Ray will pitch on seven days’ rest after giving up three runs and five walks in 4 1/3 innings while receiving a no-decision in an 8-3 victory at San Diego last Friday. Ray is 0-2 with a 5.55 ERA in his last nine starts. He missed two months with a strained oblique and threw six scoreless innings in his first game back June 27, but has not been as effective since.“It gives Robbie an extra day to work on the side with (pitching coach) Mike Butcher,” Lovullo said. “Robbie is throwing the ball well. He feels great. There is no injury whatsoever.”Ray has walked 15 in his last 20 innings over four starts. He has shown flashes of the form that saw him post a 2.89 ERA in a career-year in 2017 but has not found a rhythm this year.“It was all self-inflicted,” Ray said of his last start.Ray is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against Seattle. He won in Seattle on July 27, 2015, giving up two runs in seven innings while striking out eight.He has had difficulty at home this season, going 1-1 with a 7.18 ERA in seven starts at Chase Field. He has allowed 13 homers this season, 12 at home in 36 1/3 innings.LeBlanc joined the rotation in May but has scuffled a bit in August, giving up 15 earned runs in his four starts this month. He gave up three homers in 4 1/3 innings in an 8-3 loss against Houston on Aug. 1 and gave up three more in 4 1/3 innings in an 11-1 loss to the Dodgers on Aug. 17.LeBlanc, who spent the first four seasons of his career with San Diego, is 3-3 with a 4.47 ERA in 13 career appearances (nine starts) against Arizona. He is 1-3 with a 7.20 ERA in six games at Chase Field.

CHICAGO (AP) — In a story Nov. 1 about a couple transactions by the Chicago Cubs http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-max-muncy-jersey , The Associated Press reported erroneously that Cole Hamels‘ option is worth $19 million. The option is worth $20 million, not $19 million.A corrected version of the story is below:Pedro Strop, Brandon Kintzler stay with CubsChicago Cubs exercise $6.25 million option for key reliever Pedro StropCHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs exercised their $6.25 million option for Pedro Strop on Thursday, and fellow reliever Brandon Kintzler picked up his $5 million player option.Strop can earn $750,000 in performance bonuses next year based on games finished: $250,000 each for 45, 50 and 55 games. He has never finished more than 22 games in a single season.Strop would have received a $500,000 buyout if the option had been declined.The Cubs have to make another decision on one of their key pitchers by Friday when they face a deadline on whether to exercise Cole Hamels’ option for 2019. Hamels, who turns 35 in December, went 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts after he was acquired in a July 27 trade with Texas.Hamels’ option is for $20 million. If the Cubs decline the option and pay a $6 million buyout, the Rangers would pay the Cubs an additional $6 million.Chicago could decline the option and work out a new contract with the left-hander http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-ross-stripling-jersey , who is 156-114 with a 3.40 ERA in 13 big league seasons.Kintzler had a 7.00 ERA in 25 games with Chicago after he was acquired in a July 31 trade with Washington. The Cubs declined their $10 million team option on Tuesday.Chicago also claimed outfielder Johnny Field off waivers from Minnesota on Thursday. Field made his major league debut this year and hit .222 with nine homers and 21 RBIs in 83 games with the Twins and Tampa Bay Rays.Strop, one of the baseball’s most consistent relievers since he was acquired in a July 2013 trade with Baltimore, went 6-1 with 13 saves and a 2.26 ERA in 60 appearances last season.The 33-year-old right-hander hurt his left hamstring while running to first base at Washington on Sept. 13. He missed the rest of the regular season and then threw a scoreless inning in Chicago’s wild-card loss to Colorado.Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward let the deadline pass for exercising an opt-out provision in his contract. Heyward keeps the $184 million, eight-year deal that pays him $106 million in the next five seasons.The 29-year-old Heyward, who in 2016 helped the Cubs to their first title in 108 years, hit .270 with eight homers and 58 RBIs in 127 games this season. He is owed $20 million in 2019, $21 million in each of the following two seasons and $22 million apiece in the final two years. If he has 550 plate appearances next year, he would again have the right to void the deal and become a free agent. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays finished a long day of making trades by producing a long inning for Los Angeles starter Tyler Skaggs on Tuesday night in a win over the Angels.After making a series of deals just before the non-waiver trade deadline, the Rays broke through with a seven-run inning and beat the Angels 10-6 Tuesday night despite Mike Trout’s 30th home run.Trout’s homer, which came off Ryan Yarbrough in the seventh inning Yasmani Grandal Jersey , made him the second major leaguer to hit 30 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season three times before the age of 26. The only other player to do it was Willie Mays.”It’s a cool accomplishment,” said Trout, who also doubled and scored the Angels’ first run.Yarbrough (10-5) became the first rookie to win 10 games this season despite giving up a career-high six runs on nine hits in five innings.”Obviously I’m happy about getting the win for the team and everything, but it’s not the way I envisioned my outing to go,” said Yarbrough. ”All I was worried about was being aggressive and sometimes you give up runs like that.”Yarbrough took over in the second inning after Rays starter Ryne Stanek pitched the first.”We probably pitched just good enough,” noted Rays manager Kevin Cash, whose staff had given up 37 runs in the last three games of a weekend series at Baltimore. ”Yarbs got hit a little but . . . it was better than what we saw over the weekend.”Carlos Gomez had two of the Tampa Bay’s six hits in a seven-run fourth inning off Angels starter Tyler Skaggs (8-7). That inning left the Rays with a 10-1 lead.Matt Duffy had three of the Rays’ 14 hits and every hitter in the lineup had a hit by the sixth inning.Jake Bauers‘ eighth home run got the Rays on the board in the second inning.”It was a crazy day. So to go out and put up the numbers that we did, that was a big thing for us,” Bauers said. ”We did it our way, good at bats strung together.”Skaggs lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his shortest start of the season, giving up 10 runs. The left-hander had given up only eight earned runs in his preceding eight starts http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-joc-pederson-jersey , which included five wins.”Baseball is a humbling game,” he said. ”I really didn’t give our team a chance to win today. I feel like I’ve been throwing the ball as well as I ever had and today was probably the worst outing I’ve ever had in my life.”Skaggs entered the game with a 2.62 ERA, sixth in the American League, but it rose to 3.34.Kole Calhoun had three hits for the Angels including a two-run homer, his 13th of the season and seventh in 13 games.TRADE DEADLINE AND BEYONDIn the final hours before the non-waiver trade deadline, the Rays acquired OF Tommy Pham from St. Louis, traded C Wilson Ramos to Philadelphia, and traded RHP Chris Archer to Pittsburgh for OF Austin Meadows and RHP Tyler Glasnow. It was their 17th trade since Jan. 1 involving players on their 40-man roster, one short of the club record for an entire calendar year, set last year.The Rays also traded LHP Hunter Schryver to the Chicago White Sox for international signing bonus pool money. Schryver, 23 Clayton Kershaw Jersey , is a combined 1-3 with a 2.40 ERA and nine saves in 31 Class A appearances.INFIELD SHUFFLEDavid Fletcher is the regular second baseman in the wake of Ian Kinsler’s trade to Boston, manager Mike Scioscia said, and the Angels will ”mix and match” at third base with Luis Valbuena, Jefry Marte and Kaleb Cowart. Fletcher played shortstop Tuesday night with Andrelton Simmons getting a day off.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: P/DH Shohei Ohtani is ”out to 90 feet” on his long tosses, according to Scioscia, but will throw longer tosses before any consideration is given to starting the process of his return to the mound. He has not pitched since June 6.Rays: LHP Blake Snell (left shoulder fatigue) will have a bullpen session Wednesday in the hopes of turning to the rotation this coming weekend. Snell last pitched in the All-Star Game on July 17. . . RHP Jake Faria (left oblique strain) will be re-activated Wednesday. RHP Andrew Kittredge was optioned to Triple-A Durham.RAYS TWO-WAY PROSPECTBrendan McKay, Tampa Bay’s version of Ohtani, hit .209 with three homers and 14 RBIs through his first 18 games as a 1B/DH since a promotion from Low-A Bowling Green to High-A Charlotte. The left-hander has gone 2-2 with a 4.10 ERA in six mound appearances, including four starts entering Tuesday.UP NEXTRHP Nick Tropeano will pitch for the Angels on Wednesday night against newly acquired Glasnow. The newly acquired Pham will be in the lineup, Cash said.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Injured Brewers pitcher Brent Suter says he’s no longer allowed in the dugout during the NL Championship Series. He was with his teammates for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Suter tweeted about the situation before Game 2 on Saturday and then deleted his post. A spokesman for Major League Baseball says players who are not on the 40-man roster are not allowed in the dugout during playoff games.Suter tweeted an apology and asked for MLB to let him back in. The gregarious left-hander promised “to behave and be only mildly weird!” before the post was taken down.The 29-year-old Suter went 8-7 with a 4.44 ERA in 20 games this year before he was sidelined by a torn ligament in his left elbow. He was removed from the 40-man roster when he was placed on the 60-day disabled list on July 26. DETROIT (AP) — Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria has returned to the dugout.Renteria missed four games after experiencing lightheadedness Monday in Minnesota Womens Bradley Chubb Jersey , but doctors cleared him to return for Friday night’s game at Detroit, and he was in the dugout while the White Sox were batting in the top of the first inning.Bench coach Joe McEwing had been managing the White Sox in Renteria’s place. He was prepared to do so again, saying a couple hours before the game that he wasn’t sure when Renteria was arriving.“He’s on his way back now Authentic Phillip Lindsay Jersey ,” McEwing said. “He’s in air as we speak, and hopefully we’ll get to see him soon. We’re all very excited.”Renteria had been in Chicago, but the team said his medical tests are now finished.The White Sox also play at Detroit on Saturday night and Sunday. Chicago went 2-2 in the four games under McEwing.“Under the circumstances Authentic Todd Gurley Jersey , it’s not the way you want to go about it, but it’s been fun,” McEwing said. “It’s been a lot of fun. We prepare the same anyway Todd Gurley Jersey Elite , as a staff. … In that respect, everything stays the same on a daily basis, but being able to manage it and put your twist on it Authentic Cooper Kupp Jersey , it’s been a great learning experience and one that I never take for granted.”

The New York Mets are expected to retain manager Mickey Callaway despite the team sitting at 45-64 after Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Braves.Steven Marcus of Newsday reported the news.Callaway http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-adeiny-hechavarria-jersey , 43, is in his first season with the Mets after being hired last October. The Mets opened the year 11-1 but are 34-63 since, leading to some speculation that Callaway could be on the outs."Obviously everybody, as a person you think about what could happen, you know, reality of the situations," Callaway told reporters this weekend. "But I always try to just go out there and approach the game and the job every day like this is going to be my job forever and try not to worry about the repercussions of us not winning games and things like that as far as it pertains to me. I'm just worried about the players Sergio Romo Jersey , the work, do the best we can."Callaway was hired by Sandy Alderson, who took a leave of absence in June to receive treatment for cancer. The Mets are expected to hire a replacement this winter, which Marcus reported could be an outside candidate.Callaway's job is viewed as safe regardless of who the Mets hire as Alderson's replacement.The Mets' payroll, which is the 12th-highest in baseball, features more than $80 million worth of players currently on the disabled list. That is by far the highest number in the sport, nearly $18 million more than the San Francisco Giants.Yoenis Cespedes and David Wright account for $49 million of that total. CLEVELAND (AP) — Trevor Bauer isn’t going to let a stress fracture in his right leg get in the way of throwing a baseball.Cleveland’s right-hander Matt Duffy Jersey , one of the leading candidates for the AL Cy Young Award, will be out four to six weeks with the injury, but that’s not stopping him from keeping his arm in shape.Bauer played catch from his knees while wearing a walking boot with an athletic trainer Friday afternoon at Progressive Field, more than four hours before the Indians game against Baltimore.“It’s something I can do every day, something I plan on doing every day, because the overall stress is way less relative to what I’ve been experiencing the whole season,” Bauer said.The right-hander admitted he didn’t take the news very well when he learned he’ll be out for an extended period of time.“I was furious http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-steven-souza-jersey ,” he said. “I’ve pretty much felt the same way since.”Indians manager Terry Francona gave the timetable for Bauer’s return Friday. Bauer believes he’ll return sooner.“We’ll find out,” he said. “You’re going to get a very different answer if you ask me that question and if you ask the medical staff that question, so probably should defer to doctors on that.”Bauer was hit by Jose Abreu’s liner Saturday against the Chicago White Sox. He experienced soreness and swelling, and an MRI revealed the injury Tuesday when he was placed on the 10-day disabled list.Cleveland holds a 12-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Central entering Friday. The right-hander is 12-6 with a 2.22 ERA in 25 starts. He’s third in ERA, second in innings pitched (166) and fourth in strikeouts (214) in the AL.Bauer could return during the regular season in mid-to-late September. Francona knows the pitcher’s arm will be ready.“I think in about 10 days he can throw standing, and then in another 10 days, it’s probably close to the mound work Chris Archer Jersey ,” Francona said. “My guess is his arm is going to feel pretty good.”Bauer believes some critics haven’t fully recognized the kind of season he’s had to date.“I’m sure there’s plenty of people out there that are happy about the fact that they get to ignore that I’m one of the best pitchers in the league for another year,” he said. “They don’t have to face that reality. …. But, they’ll have to deal with it at some point.”

KANSAS CITY http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-aaron-nola-jersey , Mo. (AP) — Jack Flaherty got a lift from St. Louis’ lineup, and the rookie right-hander made the most of it.Flaherty struck out nine in seven innings, and the Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 8-3 on Saturday night for their fourth straight win.Harrison Bader and Jose Martinez each hit a two-run homer, helping the Cardinals move seven games above .500 for the first time since June 12. They are 15-9 since Mike Shildt was named interim manager on July 15.“It’s a lot easier when the offense goes out and gets you four runs, gets you ahead like that,” Flaherty said. “And then, you give up two and they get two right back. You look up and you’ve got a four-run lead again. Offense did their thing tonight.”Bader drove a full-count pitch over the wall in left with Jedd Gyorko aboard in the sixth. Danny Duffy (7-11) came close to striking out Bader earlier in the bat, but first base umpire Adam Hamari ruled Bader did not go around on a check swing.When manager Ned Yost came out to remove Duffy after the homer, the pitcher headed for Hamari instead of the dugout. Pitching coach Cal Eldred had to restrain Duffy, who was ejected by Hamari.“He missed that call,” Duffy said. “It was so blatant that he went. I was upset with the missed call and I let it out. I didn’t think it was enough to walk toward me, to instigate it Juan Samuel Jersey , which he did, baited me for sure. It’s not what lost us the game. It certainly isn’t. I didn’t pitch a good game.”Bader had a different view, saying “a hundred percent” he checked his swing.“He made the right call,” Bader said.Bader said he was “just reacting” on his homer.“Loading up early to make sure that I could hit everything, because he has a big arsenal,” Bader said. “With two strikes he expands a lot, so I was just loading up early and he left something up and I just put a good swing on it.”Duffy indicated his arm is not feeling the best.“I looked up when I was rarin’ back for a normal 95-96 (mph fastball) and I saw 87 up there,” Duffy said. “I don’t think it’s a mystery that I don’t feel great, but I’m not going to run from it. I’m used to throwing in the mid-90s and I’m not. I’m not a doctor. I can’t diagnose what’s going on, but whatever it is we’ll get through it and I’ll be fine.”Flaherty (6-6) was charged with two runs and three hits. Martinez connected in the ninth and drove in three runs.The Cardinals (62-55) scored four runs after Duffy retired the first two batters in the third.Yadier Molina sparked the rally by finishing a 10-pitch at-bat with a double. Molina advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Martinez’s infield single.Marcell Ozuna tripled home Martinez and scored on Paul DeJong’s double. Jedd Gyorko’s RBI single, St. Louis’ fifth straight hit, made it 4-0.“Danny was really rolling the first two innings Larry Andersen Jersey ,” Yost said. “Until the Yadier at-bat, he was doing a great job of managing his pitch count. Yadier started that long inning for him.”Alcides Escobar hit a two-run homer in the fifth for Kansas City. Escobar, who reached three times, also scored in the eighth on Dakota Hudson’s wild pitch.Jordan Hicks got four outs for his third save in seven chances.The Royals (35-81) picked up their 81st loss at the earliest point in franchise history. The 2005 Royals were 38-81 on Aug. 17 on their way to a team record 106 losses.ERROR-FREEThe Royals have not committed an error in 11 straight games, tying the club record.MOLINA TIES REDMolina’s third-inning double was his 352nd, tying Red Schoendienst for seventh-most in Cardinals history.CARDS ADD WISDOMThe Cardinals purchased the contract of infielder Patrick Wisdom from Triple-A Memphis, where he was hitting .289 with a .363 on-base percentage and 14 homers. Wisdom’s 31 home runs last year ranked fifth in the minors, but he wasn’t added to St. Louis’ 40-man roster and wasn’t selected in the Rule 5 draft.“Disappointed, I wouldn’t use to describe my feelings,” Wisdom said. “I would just say frustrated. I was like ‘OK, obviously I need to get better.’ I didn’t pout or anything. I took it head on and kept working. Things worked out.”TRAINER’S ROOMCardinals: OF Yairo Munoz (sprained right wrist) was placed on the 10-day DL. He aggravated the injury on a swing Friday. He will see a hand specialist Monday. … RHP Luke Gregerson (shoulder impingement) was transferred to the 60-day DL.UP NEXTCardinals: RHP Luke Weaver is 6-10 with a 4.66 ERA in 23 starts heading into Sunday’s series finale.Royals: RHP Jakob Junis is winless in his last seven home starts. Blake Snell has faced the Toronto Blue Jays twice this season en route to what looks like the second Cy Young Award in the 20-year history of the Tampa Bay Rays.In those two games, Snell has pitched 11 2/3 scoreless innings http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-robin-roberts-jersey , striking out 17.Saturday night, he faces the Jays in his final start of the year, looking for his 22nd win when he faces Ryan Borucki in the second game of the final three-game series of the season.Article continues below ...Snell has 26 starts of two earned runs or less — 20 of one run or less. He has won nine straight starts, with a 1.03 ERA and is undefeated in 10 starts in August and September. His last loss came on July 12, before he went on the disabled list.The left-hander just defeated the Blue Jays last weekend in Toronto, when he outpitched Borucki, a hard-luck loser.“I think I’ll be telling my grandkids that I played behind him,” Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier said after that game.Said manager Kevin Cash: “I think he’s pretty much cemented his case that he belongs, not just in the conversation but right at the top of the list. He’s been dominant now for a couple of months.”Snell’s last win came with his team still mathematically alive in its late-season charge at a wild-card berth. That changed the next night when the Rays were officially eliminated, making the final days less meaningful.Not for Snell, who broke David Price’s franchise record of 20 victories.The Jays were playing meaningless games a long time ago, and this weekend they’re playing their final series under manager John Gibbons after word came out Wednesday that Gibbons will not be overseeing the team’s rebuild.Friday night Tug McGraw Jersey , Toronto nipped the Rays 7-6 as Tampa Bay lost its second straight game, its fourth in five home games this week.Borucki has been a bright spot in a tough season, coming into this start 4-5 with a 3.76 ERA in 16 starts.He has faced the Rays twice, going 0-2 but allowing just four runs in 13 innings while striking out 12.Before last Sunday’s start, the lefty threw eight scoreless innings, striking out seven, in a win at Baltimore. Then he ran into Snell.“It was definitely cool, he pitched a really good game,” Borucki said. “He had all of his stuff working, kept us off balance and did a really good job. I was just trying to keep us in it, as close as we could. I had a couple of costly errors that cost me a couple of runs, but that’s just how it goes. He’s a pretty good pitcher.”So Drew Hutchison Jersey , apparently, is Borucki, who tossed his 11th quality start out of 16.“The kid can just pitch,” said Gibbons. “I think his breaking ball has gotten better since he has been here and he knows what he’s doing. He can throw different things in different times. … The bottom line is he can pitch. He has a feel for what he is doing and that can take him a long way.”The current Rays are just 6-for-44 (.176) with no homers against Borucki, Mallex Smith 1-for-7 (.143) and C.J. Cron 1-for-6 (.167).Devon Travis is 3-for-7 (.429) and Kevin Pillar 5-for-14 (.357) with a home run against Snell, but Kendrys Morales is 1-for-11 (.091), the hit a homer, Randal Grichuk 1-for-8 (.125) and Justin Smoak 2-for-12 (.167) against him.

NEW YORK (AP) — Manuel Guzman had never seen his son play major league ball in person because he’s never been fan of planes.He might want to rethink it going forward.Ronald Guzman became the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees Keon Broxton Jersey , powering the Texas Rangers past New York 12-7 on Friday night.“In BP I was going at it. I (told him) don’t worry for today, if it’s a pitch over the plate, I am going to try to hammer it,” Guzman said.Eight days after Boston’s Steve Pearce connected three times off the Yankees, the 23-year-old first baseman from the Dominican Republic duplicated the feat.Guzman grounded out his first time up, then hit solo home runs in three straight at-bats. He batted again in the eighth with a chance to tie the big league record for homers in a game — no rookie has ever hit four — but struck out swinging against Chad Green.Guzman had a total of 10 guests in the stands, including his mother, sister, two brothers and his Little League coach.“That might be one of the coolest things ever, for a major league player (to have) his dad see him play for the first time,” Texas manager Jeff Banister said. “A number of people that really had an opportunity to impact his life.”“A night he was able to give back to them, give them some excitement, something they’ll all share together tonight and from now on. It will be one of those nights he will never forget http://www.brewersfanproshop.com/authentic-zach-davies-jersey ,” he said.Guzman’s two homers off Masahiro Tanaka and one off A.J. Cole made him the first Texas player to hit three home runs in a game since teammate Adrian Beltre in 2012. Guzman became the first Rangers rookie to accomplish the feat.For someone who idolized Manny Ramirez and rooted against the Yankees as a kid, it meant a bit more.“I never liked the Yankees growing up. I mean it’s just the fact that every Dominican Yankees fan is so loud that they talk so much,” Guzman said.“Now I know they hate me right now, but I am happy about it,” he said.Guzman is the youngest player to hit three homers in a game in the Bronx since Mickey Mantle, who was a younger 23, did it in 1955 against Detroit.Overall, Guzman has 12 home runs this season, six against the Yankees.Beltre also joined in the fun with his seventh homer of the season, tying recent Hall of Fame inductee Chipper Jones for the 33rd spot on baseball’s all-time list with 469.Mike Minor (9-6) won his third straight start, allowing six hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings. The lefty had not won three consecutive starts since September 2014 while pitching for the Atlanta Braves. He missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons because of a torn labrum.Tanaka (9-3) had been 7-0 in his previous 14 starts, but again couldn’t figure out the Rangers. He entered the night with having gone 1-2 with a 6.52 ERA in his first five starts against Texas.Tanaka had not been charged with a loss since his second start of the season, April 5 against Baltimore.“I thought about it after I came off the mound and I’m not here to explain everything Brent Suter Jersey ,” he said through a translator. “But I have an idea of what’s wrong so I’ll make an adjustment my next start.”Guzman pulled homers to right field in the fourth, pointing to his family after reaching home plate, and in the sixth that made it 6-1 and chased Tanaka. Guzman went the opposite way for a drive to left in the seventh off Cole.Guzman was the first visiting player with three homers at Yankee Stadium since Lorenzo Cain in 2016 with Kansas City.Austin Romine, who drove in three runs, and Brett Gardner homered for the Yankees. Luke Voit added a two-run single.TRAINER’S ROOMRangers: OF Delino DeShields should return for Sunday’s series finale. DeShields, who banged his head trying to make a catch on July 11 at Boston, was placed last Saturday on the 7-day concussion disabled list after experiencing headaches. “Everything is good. They said it could have been triggered by different things,” he said. “But they don’t think it was related to a concussion.”Yankees: C Gary Sanchez (groin) has been on the disabled list since July 24. “I would say Monday will really ramp up as far as the hitting, start to do catching things,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “And then the normal conditioning as well. But he’s progressing well, feeling good.” … Boone is confident OF Aaron Judge (broken right wrist) can swing a bat next week. He’s been on the disabled list since July 27. “Still just better and better every day. The range of motion is all there, just still barely feeling it and that was even today, barely feeling it at the end range and we just want to get that pain completely out of there Boone Logan Jersey ,” Boone said. “Optimistic that in the next couple of days that potentially could happen and we get a bat in his hand and hopefully it starts to progress really quickly from there.”UP NEXTRangers: RHP Drew Hutchinson (1-2, 6.29 ERA) starts Saturday.Yankees: RHP Lance Lynn (8-8, 4.58) makes his first start in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium. Acquired from the Twins on July 30, Lynn gave up just two hits over 7 1/3 innings in his first start with New York on Monday vs. the White Sox. NEW YORK — Catcher J.T. Realmuto played in his last game of the season Friday. He wasted absolutely no time preparing for his next task: managing the Miami Marlins in the season finale on Sunday.Marlins manager Don Mattingly is handing the reins to Realmuto when Miami closes out 2018 by visiting the New York Mets in a battle of the National League East’s fourth- and fifth-place teams at Citi Field.The Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 4.00 ERA) is scheduled to oppose the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard (12-4, 3.22 ERA) in a matchup of right-handers.Article continues below ...The Mets posted a 1-0, 13-inning victory Saturday night when Austin Jackson’s walk-off RBI double ensured David Wright would exit a winner in his final big-league game. Wright, whose pinch-hitting appearance Friday was his first major league at-bat since May 27, 2016, went 0-for-1 with a walk before leaving to a standing ovation in the top of the fifth inning.Wright, who has undergone neck, back and shoulder surgeries since 2016 and is battling spinal stenosis, said earlier this month that he can no longer physically play baseball. It is believed he and the Mets (76-85) will negotiate a settlement on the remainder of his contract http://www.brewersfanproshop.com/authentic-josh-hader-jersey , which runs through 2020.“I’m at peace with the work and the time and the effort and the dedication that I put into this,” Wright said afterward. “I’m certainly not at peace with the end result, but tonight was special.”The Marlins (63-97) are hoping for a memorable afternoon when Realmuto slides into Mattingly’s spot on the bench. Mattingly tries to let a player manage the season finale when the game has no playoff implications, a tradition he learned while serving as a coach with the New York Yankees under Joe Torre. Infielder Martin Prado was the Marlins’ manager in the season finale last year, which Mattingly said was an eye-opening experience for the player.“Prado’s like ‘I’m never going to question you again,’ there was so much stuff going on in that game he managed,” Mattingly said with a grin Saturday afternoon. “It’s good for them to see the other side a little bit.”Mattingly said Realmuto jumped right into managerial mode after the Marlins’ 8-1 win Friday night.“He told me (Friday) night that we had to talk about who I used out of the bullpen (Saturday), because he wanted to keep certain guys available for (Sunday),” Mattingly said. “He was taking over. He took over as soon as the game’s over (Friday) night.”Alcantara took the loss in his most recent start last Monday, when he gave up six runs in four innings as the Marlins fell to the Washington Nationals 7-3. Syndergaard didn’t factor into the decision Tuesday, when he allowed three hits in six scoreless innings as the Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves 7-3.Alcantara is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two career starts against the Mets. He beat the Mets on June 29 when he gave up one run in five innings and allowed two runs in seven innings of a no-decision on Sept. 13.Syndergaard is 5-0 with a 1.96 ERA in seven career starts against the Marlins. This season, he’s 2-0 against them and has allowed four earned runs in 13 innings.

NEW YORK (AP) — On his 3 Jason Heyward Jersey ,102nd pitch of a special season, Jacob deGrom was determined to reach one more milestone, rather than letting it linger until next year.So facing his final batter, he reached back and threw a 92 mph slider past Ozzie Albies for his 1,000th career strikeout.Now deGrom will wait a few more weeks to see if his remarkable run will win him the National League’s top pitching prize.DeGrom was dominant in what almost certainly was his last pitch for the Cy Young Award, throwing eight stellar innings and leaving with a major league-best 1.70 ERA as the New York Mets blanked the Atlanta Braves 3-0 on Wednesday.“I’m really excited with how the night went,” deGrom said. “I had the goal to get to that tonight. It was a lot cooler to get my 1,000th strikeout on my last pitch of the year than my first batter next year.”DeGrom (10-9) made his last regular-season start, striking out 10 and allowing just two singles against the NL East champions. He retired the final 20 hitters after allowing a single to Johan Camargo.DeGrom gave up no more than three runs in his last 29 starts to extend his own single-season record. He also matched the overall mark set by Jake Arrieta in 2015-16.“For me it’s just watching a dominant starter and the best pitcher in baseball every five days,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said.The Braves (89-69) had a six-game winning streak snapped. They began the day two games behind the Cubs for the best record in the NL.DeGrom recorded his 11th double-digit strikeout game this season and 32nd of his career. Most of his strikeouts came on sliders in the low-90s mph and his velocity was in the high 90s on his fastball throughout the night.The All-Star ace finished with 24 quality starts, the most in a single season, the Elias Sports Bureau said.DeGrom received numerous ovations from the crowd of 23,205, even when he struck out in the seventh. By the eighth, the crowd was hanging on every pitch and, after he fanned Tyler Flowers for the third time, the fans began “MVP” chants.“He was really good,” Flowers said. “I just want to watch the game on TV later. I know I didn’t get anything to hit. I know that. I think most of the other guys would say the same thing.”As the Mets batted in the eighth http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-john-lackey-jersey , the crowd began chanting “We Want Jake” and booed when Seth Lugo entered. Lugo finished off deGrom’s latest gem by tossing a scoreless ninth for his third save.DeGrom also won for the first time in six starts against Atlanta this year. He allowed four runs in 41 innings against the Braves.“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him (pitch) bad,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “That guy’s so good.”Dominic Smith drove in the first run with an RBI single in the sixth off Luke Jackson.Smith’s hit was enough for deGrom, who allowed one or no runs in 18 of 32 starts this year, the most in the National League.“He’s unbelievable,” Smith said.Michael Conforto hit his career-high 28th homer in the eighth with a long drive off Kyle Wright. Two batters later, Smith homered to make it 3-0.Atlanta left-hander Sean Newcomb allowed one hit in five scoreless innings but four walks raised his pitch count.Ronald Acuna Jr. opened the game with a single and stole second, but deGrom retired Ender Inciarte, Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis. Camargo opened the second with a single, but deGrom fanned Flowers and induced a double play by Albies and did not allow a baserunner the rest of the way.HONORARY COACHOzzie Virgil Sr. was an honorary coach and exchanged lineup cards. Virgil, 86, was the first Dominican-born player in the major leagues when he made his debut for the New York Giants in 1956. During an eight-year career with the Giants in New York and San Francisco, Detroit, the Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, Virgil appeared at catcher, third base and outfield. He currently serves as a special catching instructor for New York’s teams in the Dominican Summer League and has spent the last 11 seasons doing so.TRAINER’S ROOMBraves: SS Dansby Swanson has a partially torn ligament in his left hand and it’s unclear if he will be available in the postseason. He flew from New York to Atlanta Wednesday to get his wrist and hand examined by team doctors. He will undergo treatment while missing the rest of the regular season, which ends Sunday. Swanson will be revaluated next week before the best-of-five Division Series begins on Oct. 4.UP NEXTBraves: RHP Julio Teheran (9-8, 4.03 ERA) makes his final regular-season start Thursday. He is 9-6 with a 2.42 ERA in 24 career appearances against the Mets.Mets: LHP Jason Vargas (6-9 Ben Zobrist Jersey , 6.25) concludes a disappointing first season of a two-year deal for New York. NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge got the party started with a two-run homer nine pitches in . By the time Giancarlo Stanton capped the mauling with monstrous drive in his postseason debut , New York Yankees fans already were looking ahead. “We want Boston!” they chanted.Coming up next.“It’s going to be intense,” CC Sabathia predicted after the Yankees pounded the Oakland Athletics 7-2 on Wednesday night to win their second straight AL wild-card game.New York will take a train to Boston for a best-of-five Division Series starting Friday night, a matchup of 100-win heavyweights.“I think they’re ready and relish the opportunity to go up against the game’s best this year,” Yankees rookie manager Aaron Boone said of his players.Boone remains a dirty word among the Fenway Park faithful. His 11th-inning homer in Game 7 of the 2003 AL Championship Series beat the Red Sox. A year later Boston overcame the Yankees and became the first major league team to bounce back from a 3-0 postseason deficit. The Red Sox went on to win their first World Series since 1918, but Boone’s drive off Tim Wakefield has not been forgotten or forgiven.Boston went 10-9 against the Yankees this year and set a club record with 108 wins. New York became the first team since the 2001 A’s to reach triple digits in wins and fail to finish first.“We’ve just got to do our homework and come out swinging,” said Luke Voit, who broke open the game with a two-run triple in a four-run sixth .Luis Severino atoned for last year’s flop in the wild-card game against Minnesota, pitching no-hit shutout ball into the fifth . Dellin Betances entered with two on and got six straight outs as part of a five-hitter, and the Yankees extended their home postseason winning streak to seven. Severino let out a primal scream after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the fourth with a 99.6 fastball — his fastest pitch of the night — to strike out Marcus Semien .Yankees fans fretted about an all-or-nothing knockout match, thinking back to last year when Severino fell behind Minnesota 3-0 just 10 pitches in. New York rallied for an 8-4 win against the Twins, but the memory remained raw.Severino retired his first three batters in order on 10 pitches“I think the first inning was huge for me, after all the stuff that people say on social media, all of that stuff,” he explained.Andrew McCutchen walked leading off the bottom half against reliever-turned starter Liam Hendricks, and Judge hit a drive over the left-field scoreboard, joining Reggie Jackson as the only Yankees with four home runs in their first seven postseason home games.“I was already excited from the national anthem on,” said Judge http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-anthony-rizzo-jersey , who hit his second homer since returning in mid-September after missing seven weeks with a broken right wrist.Short on options, A’s manager Bob Melvin opted for baseball’s latest fad: starting a reliever. Hendriks (the loser) had not allowed a home run since June 24, the night before he was cut from the major league roster.“Got into some bad counts and they made me pay,” Hendriks said.Voit’s two-run triple missed a home run by inches. Stanton added a 443-foot drive off closer Blake Treinen in the eighth that landed in left field’s second deck, completing a power show by the team that set a major league record for most home runs in a season. Stanton’s drive left the bat at 117.4 mph and Judge’s 116.1 mph, the hardest-hit postseason home runs since measuring began in 2015.A sellout crowd enjoyed one of those boisterous Bronx celebrations that used to be an October staple.“Early in the game they’re going to be loud. It’s our job to try to take them out of it,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “This is a tough ballpark to play in.”Oakland has lost eight straight winner-take-all postseason games since beating Willie Mays and the New York Mets in Game 7 of the 1973 World Series, and dropped all four of their postseason matchups against the Yankees.“It’s pretty hard but I’m not disappointed at all,” said big league home run champion Khris Davis, who hit a two-run homer off Zach Britton in the eighth . “I think we showed some people we can do some things and I think next year, we’re a little bit more of a threat.”Severino was 14-2 at the All-Star break this year but slumped badly in the second half, and Boone’s decision to start the 24-year-old right-hander against the A’s instead of J.A. Happ or Masahiro Tanaka was intensely debated — the type of argument Boone used to enjoy as a television analyst who broadcast last year’s wild-card game.Severino made the move look like genius. He threw nine fastballs in the first inning, then switched to more offspeed. He threw 36 fastballs, 37 sliders and 14 changeups in all.“Because they’re patient and they’re dangerous, you’ve got to be able to mix those pitches and you’ve got to be able to throw strikes with all those pitches,” Boone said.He struck out seven his first time through the batting order, but wound up walking four as he pitched carefully. Jonathan Lucroy and Nick Martini singled leading off the fifth, and Boone signaled for Betances to relieve.This time Kosuke Fukudome Jersey , Severino had a no-decision to savor.Betances retired Matt Chapman on a liner to right and Jed Lowrie on a fly to center, then struck out Davis with a slider and gleefully backpedaled off the mound .“I’ve been waiting for this moment a long time. Last year I was a cheerleader,” Betances said, reflecting on his reduced role last October after late-season control problems.New York opened a 6-0 lead in the bottom half. Judge started it with a double — his grounder hit about a foot foul just beyond the batter’s box, then twisted fair down the line . Aaron Hicks followed with another double off Fernando Rodney.After Treinen walked Stanton, and Voit hit an opposite-field drive to right, thinking it was a home run and raising his right arm at the plate. He chugged into third with his first big league triple and let loose with a holler.The burly Voit tumbled across the plate, actually making a nifty slide , to just make it home on Didi Gregorius‘ sacrifice fly.Betances (the winner) pitched a perfect sixth and David Robertson a 1-2-3 seventh. Aroldis Chapman followed Britton and finished with the final two of 13 strikeouts by New York pitchers .Oakland was a little engine that could, coming off three straight last-place finishes and last in opening-day payroll before creeping up to 28th following midseason acquisitions to bolster its injury devastated pitching staff. The A’s managed to win 97 games despite a half-dozen starting pitchers getting hurt.“We feel like with the group that we have here together that we’re going to get better each and every year,” Melvin said.While he spoke, the Yankees were spraying Chandon in a soggy clubhouse filled with the sweet smell of California brut.“This place was crazy tonight,” Stanton said. “Everything I would have expected and more.”

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit the hardest homer ever measured by Major League Baseball’s Statcast system Noah Syndergaard Jersey , Neil Walker hit two more home runs and the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 7-3 on Thursday night.Stanton’s 28th homer was measured at 121.7 mph, the fastest long ball tracked by Statcast since the system was introduced in 2015. Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks also went deep, helping the Yankees win their fourth straight since a five-game skid that included a four-game sweep at AL East-leading Boston.J.A. Happ (12-6) pitched six effective innings in his return from hand, foot and mouth disease. Happ was acquired from Toronto last month and has won both his starts with New York. He allowed three runs, four hits, a walk and struck out nine Thursday.Rookie Ariel Jurado (2-2) got Stanton to hit into a double play in the first inning, then intentionally walked Didi Gregorius before Hicks homered to make it 2-0.All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman walked two in the ninth before getting a fielder’s choice from pinch-hitter Isiah Kiner-Falefa and striking out Choo and Odor.BLUE JAYS 8, RED SOX 5TORONTO (AP) — Mookie Betts homered for Boston in the ninth inning to complete his first career cycle, and Toronto held on to beat the Red Sox.Betts is the 21st Red Sox player to hit for the cycle and the first in the major leagues this season. He singled and scored in the first inning, tripled in the second and doubled in the fourth against starter Ryan Borucki (2-2). After walking in the sixth, Betts hit his 27th homer in the ninth off Ken Giles.The AL MVP candidate was 4 for 4 to raise his average to .347 with 59 RBIs and a 1.102 OPS.Boston (81-35) lost for the first time in seven games but still has the best record in baseball.Randal Grichuk hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth inning and Teoscar Hernandez added a solo shot to help Toronto avoid a three-game sweep. Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez hit his major league-leading 35th home run http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-yoenis-cespedes-jersey , a solo drive in the fifth. Rick Porcello (14-5) was the winner.DODGERS 8, ROCKIES 5DENVER (AP) — Chris Taylor and Brian Dozier homered off closer Wade Davis in the ninth inning and Los Angeles exploited Colorado’s shaky bullpen to beat the Rockies.Taylor lined the first pitch he saw from Davis (1-6) — a knuckle-curve — into the left-center bleachers to make it 6-5. Two batters later, Dozier followed with a two-run shot to cap off another late-inning, flip-flopping game at Coors Field.Caleb Ferguson (3-1) threw 1 2/3 innings for the win, and Scott Alexander got his second save.The Rockies bullpen surrendered five homers and seven runs as the Dodgers pulled into a first-place tie with idle Arizona in the NL West. It was Los Angeles’ sixth straight win at Coors Field.Chris Iannetta gave the Rockies a 5-3 lead with a three-run homer in the seventh. It didn’t last, as Cody Bellinger connected on a two-run shot off reliever Seunghwan Oh to tie it with two outs in the eighth. Rockies eliever Scott Oberg allowed solo homers to pinch-hitters Joc Pederson and Max Muncy in the seventh to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.MARINERS 8, ASTROS 6HOUSTON (AP) — Mitch Haniger homered while Seattle jumped on Justin Verlander for six runs in two innings, and the Mariners beat Houston.Haniger, Denard Span and Jean Segura combined for 10 hits and seven RBIs with a homer each off Verlander. Verlander (11-7) was ejected for arguing a balk call after setting a season high for runs allowed and missing a chance for his 200th career victory.James Paxton (10-5) continued his success against the Astros, yielding seven hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings to improve to 4-0 against them this season. Edwin Diaz allowed a home run to Tyler White with two outs in the ninth before striking out Josh Reddick for his 43rd save.Haniger had a season-high four hits with two RBIs, Span had three RBIs and finished a double shy of the cycle Michael Conforto Jersey , and Segura added three hits and drove in two runs.INDIANS 5, MINNESOTA 4CLEVELAND (AP) — Michael Brantley’s ninth-inning single gave Cleveland its second straight walk-off victory over Minnesota.Brantley grounded a 2-1 pitch off Addison Reed (1-6) past the diving Miguel Sano at first base to score Greg Allen. Francisco Lindor’s three-run homer in the ninth inning Wednesday gave Cleveland a 5-2 victory. Brantley’s hit set off another celebration as he was mobbed by his teammates.Allen started the rally with a single off Reed and stole second with Lindor batting. Lindor’s groundout to first moved Allen to third.Andrew Miller (2-3) struck out a batter in the ninth. The left-hander made his fourth appearance since missing two months because of an inflamed right knee.Minnesota rallied from a 4-0 deficit against reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. Jake Cave’s fifth-inning sacrifice fly scored a run before Jorge Polanco hit first home run of the season — a three-run shot in the sixth — to tie the game. Polanco missed the first 80 games of the season because of a suspension for violating baseball’s drug program.PADRES 8, BREWERS 4MILWAUKEE (AP) — Hunter Renfroe hit a go-ahead grand slam in the ninth inning, his fourth straight game with a home run, and San Diego rallied to beat Milwaukee.Down 4-2 entering the ninth, San Diego came back against relievers Corey Knebel and Joakim Soria.Knebel (2-3) walked the bases loaded and allowed a run-scoring infield single to Travis Jankowski before Soria entered to try to escape the jam. Soria retired Eric Hosmer before Renfroe hammered a 1-2 pitch deep into the left-field bleachers for his grand slam. Renfroe became the first Padres player to hit home runs and have multiple RBI games in four consecutive games.Franmil Reyes added a solo homer to right off Jacob Barnes to cap the Padres’ six-run rally. Kirby Yates (4-0) pitched a scoreless eighth for the victory and Craig Stammen closed it with a scoreless ninth.NATIONALS 6, BRAVES 3WASHINGTON (AP) — Gio Gonzalez pitched seven strong innings for his first victory since May 28 to help Washington split a four-game series with Atlanta.Gonzalez (7-8) snapped a personal seven-game losing streak and had gone 11 consecutive starts without a victory. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three. Nick Markakis’ solo homer to lead off the second was the lone run he allowed.Ronald Acuna Jr. homered for Atlanta. Wes Parsons (0-1) was the loser.Washington outfielder Bryce Harper was scratched from the lineup with right knee soreness. Atlanta reliever Dan Winkler hit Harper just below the right knee in the seventh inning Wednesday night.RAYS 5, ORIOLES 4ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Jake Bauers drove in two of his three runs with a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning and Tampa Bay beat Baltimore.Bauers’ decisive hit off Cody Carroll (0-1) came in the Rays’ franchise record-tying sixth consecutive one-run game. Baltimore took a 4-3 lead earlier in the seventh when Renato Nunez hit a solo homer off Yonny Chirinos (1-4). Sergio Romo worked the ninth to get his 14th save.PIRATES 10, GIANTS 5SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — David Freese hit his 100th career home run, Elias Diaz and Josh Bell went deep on consecutive pitches and the Pirates beat the Giants.Ivan Nova (7-6) allowed two runs in six innings to continue a stellar stretch on the road for Pittsburgh’s starters. Adam Frazier added three singles and two RBIs http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-reyes-jersey , his fourth multi-hit game in the last six.The Pirates have won three straight overall and improved to 8-2 in their last 10 at AT&T Park.Joe Panik and Steven Duggar drove in two runs apiece for San Francisco.Diaz and Bell homered off starter Andrew Suarez (4-8) in the second. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers declined their 2019 options for catcher Robinson Chirinos and three pitchers on Friday, when their longest-tenured player stayed put.While the Rangers had been expected to let pitchers Doug Fister, Matt Moore and Martin Perez become free agents, the decision on Chirinos was a bit of a surprise. Their primary starting catcher had a $4.5 million option for next season with a $100,000 buyout.“We wanted to explore some things in the marketplace. We haven’t necessarily closed the door on Robbie by any stretch,” Daniels said. “It’s just the timing of it. We weren’t ready to commit. We wanted to explore potential alternatives behind the plate.”Shortstop Elvis Andrus, at 30 and already with the team 10 seasons, is halfway through a $120 million, eight-year deal that offered him the opportunity to become a free agent this offseason. He also has that option next year.Andrus, the only player remaining who was part of both of the team’s World Series appearances (2010 and 2011) Jeurys Familia Jersey , had indicated that he was staying, but Friday was the deadline for that decision.Andrus hit .256 this season, when he went on the disabled list for the first time in his career and played only 97 games. He missed two months because of a fractured right elbow after getting hit by a pitch in April.The Rangers last offseason exercised a $6 million club option on Perez before he broke a bone in his right (non-throwing) elbow that required surgery. This time, they chose a $750,000 buyout over a $7.5 million option after he went 2-7 with a 6.22 ERA in 22 games. Daniels said the team could consider bringing him back at a lower price.“He really didn’t bounce back from the injury,” Daniels said. “I think it really affected him and led to some mechanical issues.”Moore ($750,000 buyout) and Fister ($500,000) were acquisitions last offseason. Fister began the season as the team’s No. 2 starter, but went 1-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 starts before going on the disabled list in June with a strained right knee that kept him from pitching again. Moore was 3-8 with a 6.79 ERA in 39 games (12 starts, 27 relief appearances).The Rangers did add a potential starter when they acquired lefty Drew Smyly from the Chicago Cubs.That deal, for a player to be named later Mike Piazza Jersey , came after the Cubs exercised the $20 million option on Cole Hamels, the lefty the Rangers traded to Chicago this summer. Texas would have had to make an additional $6 million payment to the Cubs if the pitcher’s option had been declined, triggering a $6 million buyout.Smyly signed a $10 million, two-year contract with Chicago last December that includes a $7 million salary for next year. He was healthy at the end of last season after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Daniels said Smyly had a physical in Texas, and is expected to have a normal offseason before spring training.Fister was one of six right-handers Texas activated from the 60-day disabled list. The others were Clayton Blackburn, Matt Bush, Nick Gardewine and Ronald Herrera.Blackburn, right-hander Austin Bibens-Dirkx, lefty Brandon Mann, catcher Carlos Perez and outfielder Ryan Rua to Triple-A Nashville. All are expected to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesThe Chicago Cubs clinched a spot in the 2018 MLB postseason thanks to the Milwaukee Brewers' 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.Chicago Cubs CubsIn. 鉁旓笍 WQy3PbrWDGAt the conclusion of Milwaukee's victory http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-jim-thome-jersey , Chicago (91-66) was neck-and-neck with the Brewers (92-67) in the race for the National League Central title.It marks the Cubs' fourth consecutive playoff appearance, as they have not missed the postseason since Joe Maddon took over as manager in November 2015. The team has made it to the National League Championship Series in each of the last three seasons and snapped a 108-year championship drought in 2016.Chicago hovered around .500 for the first month in the ultra-competitive NL Central, but the team hit a groove in May and later put itself in prime playoff position with a seven-game winning streak near the end of August.The North Siders have been propelled by MVP candidate Javier Baez, who is hitting .294this season with 34home runs, 38 doubles, ninetriples and an NL-leading 110 RBI. And, of course, he is among the best defenders in baseball.Although the Cubs are once again ready to play for a championship, it hasn't been the easiest of rides.During his second stint on the disabled list, 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant missed 35 games because of left shoulder inflammation. Prized free-agent signing Yu Darvish (1-3, 4.95 ERA in eight starts) struggled before Chicago lost him for the season on May 20, and he underwentarthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in early September. The club, however, did bolster its roster this summer, adding starting pitcher Cole Hamels, relievers Jesse Chavez and Brandon Kintzler and second baseman Daniel Murphy.With Baez, Bryant, Anthony Rizzo Manny Ramirez Jersey , Jon Lester and Co. having already proved themselves capable of winning a championship, adding new blood to the clubhouse provided a boost for the stretch run.With a playoff spot wrapped up, the Cubs will look to finish the regular season with some momentum as they chase their second World Series title in three years. It took a historic marathon of a National League Wild Card Game, but the Colorado Rockies' dreams of a first World Series title are still alive.Colorado defeated the Chicago Cubs, 2-1, in a 13-inning showdown Tuesday at Wrigley Field. It was the longest win-or-go-home playoff game in MLB history, and it prevented the Cubs from reaching their fourth straight National League Championship Series.Tony Wolters, who did not start the game, delivered the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 13th, and Scott Oberg closed the door on the North Siders in the bottom of the frame. Rockies Bats Must Find Road Magic for World Series RunColorado's offensive struggles on the road were a primary talking point entering the playoffs, for good reason.According toESPN.com,the Rockies led MLB in OPS at home but were an ugly 27thawayfrom Coors Field. Those issues were on full display during Monday's National League West tiebreaker loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers,as they didn't score until the ninth inning, and they looked to rear their ugly head again Tuesday when Nolan Arenado's sacrifice fly in the first inning was their only run until the 13th.However, October often comes down to unexpected heroes, as Colorado can now attest.ESPN espnBIGGEST HIT OF HIS CAREER!Tony Wolters comes up CLUTCH to give the Rockies the lead. Za9rxVoWyTJeff Passan JeffPassanOf course its the Rockies third catcher who gives them the lead. Tony Wolters, two-strike single, Rockies up 2-1.With two outs and nobody on base Danny Salazar Jersey , Trevor Story and Gerardo Parra singled before Wolters drove home the winner. While Story is a notable name, Parra and Wolters were not exactly the expected heroes in a lineup featuring Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, Carlos Gonzalez and Ian Desmond.The Rockies will need that type of October magic to deliver a championship to Colorado. Otherwise, their pitchers will need to be brilliant, like starter Kyle Freeland was against the Cubs with 6.2 scoreless innings and six strikeouts.The Rockies' road issues aren't going to disappear overnight, but a timely hit in clutch moments can be the difference between an early exit and a deep postseason run.Toothless Cubs Must Find Offensive Answers Next SeasonJon Lester deserved better.The three-time World Series champion entered Tuesday's contest with a 2.55 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 25 playoff appearances, and he threw another masterpiece, allowing one run, four hits and one walk while striking out nine in six brilliant innings. He was the emotional leader for the team, consistently imploring the offense and crowd to deliver.James Neveau JamesNeveauJon Lester is on the Mount Rushmore of Chicago free agent signings and I will hear no protest on the matter.Sahadev Sharma sahadevsharmaWhat a great performance by Lester. Sure, he was a little lucky with some hard contact finding gloves, but man, 9 Ks, just 1 walk and 1 run allowed in six strong. Thats usually enough to win a game. Usually... Happ is going to pinch-hit for him. Impressive performance.It was all for naught, as one of the worst offenses in baseball over the final month put up one measly run.Chicago ranked 24th in OPS in September, perESPN.com http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-trevor-bauer-jersey , which is a primary reason the Milwaukee Brewers caught them and won the National League Central. There was also a power outage on the North Side, as an offense that was third in the National League in homers in 2017 was a mere 11th this year.Javier Baez鈥攊n a fitting metaphor for a season in which he carried Chicago's offense on his back for extended stretches鈥攄elivered a game-tying double in the eighth, but that was the Cubs' only run.Jason Patt Bulls_JayTheo is probably writing up a $500M contract for Bryce Harper in his suite right now.The offense on display in the most important games of the year will not cut it for a win-now team with a number of core pieces still in place. The Cubs must find offensive answers this offseason, whether it is signing Bryce Harper, changing some of the coaching staff, adding lower-profile but impactful bats or rehabbing Kris Bryant after he dealt with injuries throughout the season.Otherwise, they won't be World Series contenders in 2019.Brewers Bullpen vs. Rockies Starters Will Determine NLDSThe battle within the battle in the Division Series between the Rockies and Brewers will be which team can beat the other's strength.Milwaukee can build an early lead with Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain and the rest of the offense and then drastically shorten contests with a dominant bullpen featuring the likes of Josh Hader, Joakim Soria, Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress. All manager Craig Counsell needs is four or five effective innings from the starters, and the bullpen can do the rest.That was the blueprint the Brewers used to beat the Cubs in Monday's divisional tiebreaker game when Jhoulys Chacin allowed one run in 5.2 innings before the bullpen slammed the door.On the other side, Freeland and German Marquez form a daunting one-two punch of starting pitchers who can dictate the series with three starts between them. Freeland's prowess was on full display at Wrigley, while Marquez wasnamedNational League Pitcher of the Month in September with a 2.14 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 33.2 innings.Jeff Passan JeffPassanKyle Freeland is a boss. The pitch after David Dahls egregious not-an-error-but-totally-was-an-error in right field, Freeland induces a double-play groundball from Anthony Rizzo to escape a jam. Hes at just 71 pitches through six shutout innings. Rockies still lead, 1-0.Jerry Crasnick jcrasnickHow impressive is Kyle Freeland? Kid has no pulse.Joel Sherman Joelsherman1Jon Lester was terrific as usual in October. But he is a familiar face. It is good for baseball that the past 2 days those who do not pay deep attention during the season have gotten introduced to Walker Buehler and Kyle Freeland. #Dodgers #Rockies #TheFutureThe Brewers have plenty of potent bats, but Marquez and Freeland are talented enough to take over the short series and send the NL Central champions home quickly.Colorado knows it has to get to Milwaukee's starters early before the bullpen, while the Brewers have to battle the Rockies' one-two punch and force the bullpen to throw plenty of innings.Game on.What's Next?The Rockies turn their attention toward a National League Division Series showdown with the Brewers. The best-of-five series starts Thursday in Milwaukee.

The matchup is set. Thanks to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Kendrys Morales Jersey , the Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League pennant and clinched their place in the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox.Boston, which will represent the American League, previously earned its spot after knocking out the defending champion Houston Astros in five games.The World Series will pit a pair of dynamic offenses against two excellent pitching staffs. During the regular season, both squads held top-10 rankings in runs scored and team ERA.No matter the result, this should be a gripping series to watch.How They Got HereBoston Red SoxALDS (best-of-five): Red Sox 3, New York Yankees 1ALCS (best-of-seven): Red Sox 4, Astros 1 Los Angeles DodgersNLDS (best-of-five): Dodgers 3, Atlanta Braves 1NLCS (best-of-seven): Dodgers 4, Brewers 32018 World Series ScheduleBillie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty ImagesGame 1, Oct. 23: Dodgers at Red Sox, 8:09 p.m. ETGame 2, Oct. 24: Dodgers at Red Sox Jesse Barfield Jersey , 8:09 p.m. ETGame 3, Oct. 26: Red Sox at Dodgers, 8:09 p.m. ETGame 4, Oct. 27: Red Sox at Dodgers, 8:09 p.m. ETGame 5, Oct. 28*: Red Sox at Dodgers, 8:15 p.m. ETGame 6, Oct. 30*: Dodgers at Red Sox, 8:09 p.m. ETGame 7, Oct. 31*: Dodgers at Red Sox, 8:09 p.m. ETNote: *if necessary. All matchups will be televised on Fox.Players to WatchMookie Betts, RF Brett Anderson Jersey , Boston Red SoxThe potential American League MVP, Mookie Betts posted a .346 batting average with 84 extra-base hits鈥攊ncluding 32 home runs鈥攁nd 80 RBI during the regular season.Betts' scorching year at the plate hasn't continued in the playoffs. So far, he's mustered only eight hits in 39 total at-bats with three doubles, zero homers and three RBI.However, that doesn't mean he's not making an impact. Even excluding the controversial non-home run from Game 4 of the ALCS, Betts made several outstanding defensive plays. His most notable happened in Game 5, robbing Astros star Alex Bregman of extra bases.Despite only having eight hits and four walks, Betts has scored eight runs this postseason. If his excellence at the plate returns, Betts might add World Series MVP to an expanding trophy case. Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles DodgersKevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesClayton Kershaw is working toward becoming one of the greatest pitchers in major league history. Anyone who still disagrees, though http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-george-bell-jersey , will quickly point out his minimal postseason success.Since 2013, the southpaw has opened 20 playoff games鈥?1 of which are considered quality starts (six-plus innings, three runs or fewer). Compared to his regular-season dominance, that 55 percent rate is quite disappointing.Put simply, Kershaw's 9-8 overall record and ERA above 4.00 is disappointing.In Game 2 of the NLDS, he dominated the Braves with eight scoreless innings. Milwaukee pounced on Kershaw for five runs (four earned) during Game 2 of the NLCS, but he responded in Game 5 and allowed only one run over seven innings of work.Kershaw will likely start two World Series tilts, potentially being available in relief for Game 6 or 7, if needed. If he can finally thrive on the biggest stage, any doubts about his legacy will be eliminated.Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter Kenyon19_BR. With a chance to opt out of his current contract and hit free agency this winter, David Price appears to be in it for the long haul with the Boston Red Sox.The veteran southpaw was recently asked if he plans to test the open market after this season, and he made it clear that he doesn't see a point in doing so."Why would I think about that?" Price said Dave Winfield Jersey , per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. "... Go to a lesser team. For what?Why would I leave here to go to a team that's not as good as this team? I came here to win. I don't worry about all the other stuff. Just come here to win. We're going to have a really good chance to do that."The 33-year-old still has four years and $127 million remaining on theseven-year, $217 millionmegadealhe signed back in December 2015.Price's time in Boston did not get off to a smooth start. While he went 17-9 in his first season in a Red Sox uniform, his earned run average ballooned to 3.99, the highest since his first full year in the majors. Then, he had a number of clashes with the Boston media, as detailed by Boston.com'sNikDeCosta-Klipa.To make matters worse, the $217 million pitcher has continued to struggle in the postseason. He is just 1-3 in seven playoff appearances with the Red Sox, with the lone victory coming in a relief outing. He is 0-8 with a 5.74 ERA in nine career postseason starts, numbers that have drawn the ire of Boston fans.However, Price is in the midst of the best season of his Red Sox career to date. He is 14-6 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP while striking out 162 batters in 158.2 innings. Since the All-Star break, he is 4-0 with a 1.78 ERA in eight starts.A hot stretch like that could tempt Price to see if he could cash in even more. But as he noted, he wants to win a World Series.With Price Jack Morris Jersey , Chris Sale,MookieBetts and J.D. Martinez leading the way, Boston (99-46) appears to be the favorite as it continues to run away with the best record in the majors. On Tuesday, the Red Sox became the first team to clinch aplayoffberth.A strong postseason performance that results in a championship could give Price something to think about. Then again, after many of last year's free agents struggled to find contracts, it may be tough for Price鈥攅specially at his age鈥攖o cash in even more regardless of how he pitches the rest of the season.